Cynthia Ann Plotkin known professionally as Cindy Alexander is an American indie singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.[1][2][3] She currently resides in Big Sur, California.
Alexander has toured the United States, Japan, Europe, and Islands as far as Barbados and Guantanamo Bay. She has toured alongside many notable acts throughout her career.[2]
She was born in Los Angeles, California, United States. Her mother, Nancy (née Kaufman), was an elementary school teacher, and her father, Gary Plotkin, was an attorney.[4]
Alexander's grandmother, Molly Plotkin, was a music teacher who encouraged her singing from an early age. Later, she was discovered and mentored by the leader of a children's choir, Cantor Nathan Lam. Later, Alexander received further training at the USC School of Drama. But before long, Shakespeare's sentiment that "all the world's a stage" had lured her away from the theater — she realized the best part she could play was herself.[4]
Musical beginnings: JamCat Records
In 1998, Alexander was named Songwriter of the Year and nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year by the Los Angeles Music Awards, while her debut album See Red was nominated for Independent Pop Album of the Year.[1] This record was a compilation of her demos published in CD format so she had something to sell on her first tour supporting The Bacon Brothers. This was the start of JamCat Records, her independent label.
In 2003, her second album SMASH was nominated for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year by the same outfit.[5]SMASH featured cowrites with Grammy Award winners Gary Harrison and Dennis Matkosky. She was named CNET's Net Music Countdown Net Unknown of the Year (joining past recipients such as Michelle Branch) and was named Female Artist of the Year by JP Folks, also winning Pop Song of the Year for "I'm So Sad that You're Happy" by the same organization.
In 2004, Alexander received several awards such as Songwriter of the Year – JP Folks Music Awards, Best Female Rock Vocalist – All Access Music Awards, and Special Achievement Pop Artist – Los Angeles Music Awards.[6]
In 2005, her next album Angels & Demons won Los Angeles Music Awards' Independent Pop Album of the Year in 2006 and was nominated also for Album of the Year.[5] Alexander appeared on The Mark & Brian Show in support of Jani Lane from Warrant, Metal Mania Stripped (VH1). She was a stand-out during that performance and Mark & Brian had her back in-studio to perform her own material. This appearance sparked a boost in sales and an influx of new fans. At this point in her career, Alexander signed with the William Morris Agency as booking agents and toured supporting artists such as America and Joe Bonamassa.
In June 2006, Alexander's song "4 Hours" (originally released on Angels and Demons) appeared on a compilation album entitled Eclectic Cafe on Water Music Records, alongside Aimee Mann, Delirium with Sarah McLachlan, Echo & the Bunnymen, Tracy Bonham, among other notable artists.
Later that year, Alexander was the winner of NBC's Star Tomorrow. When presented with the prize of a record deal, Alexander decided to stay true to her self-funded label, JamCat Records, and declined the deal. She used the wave of exposure and internet popularity to crowd-fund her next project, Wobble with the World.
In 2007, Wobble with the World, was produced by her long-time collaborators Dave Darling and Paul Trudeau. The iTunes Store version of the album contained an extra bonus track "Slow Motion Miracle", proceeds of which go to a cancer support center charity. It was nominated for South Bay Music Awards, Independent Album of the Year, Best Female Vocals, and AC Artist of the Year. Alexander was also nominated for Best Songwriting in Rock City News. The album featured a guest appearance by Michael Bacon on "Bloom".[2]
In 2009, she performed for the videogame White Knight Chronicles II soundtrack with the songs "Fly! -My Bluebrid-", "The Battlefield Flower" and "White Knight Chronicles 'Travelers'" which was released in 2010.
Following all this success, Alexander took a break from the music scene to focus on starting a family. She and her husband, Chip Moreland, welcomed twins in 2009 and she spent three years on hiatus raising her daughters.
Every Rise and Fall, released March 2012, tackled issues such as fertility, marriage, motherhood, aging, birth and death. Produced by Dave Darling, Every Rise and Fall featured another guest appearance by Michael Bacon on cello, and musicians Arlan Oscar on organ and Wurlitzer, Carl Sealove on stand up bass/ bass guitar, Chip Moreland on drums, Dave Darling on guitar/backing vocals, and Alecander on vocals and piano.
Blue Élan Records
In 2013, Alexander was finally getting back to music, performing, and touring with her longtime pals, the Bacon Brothers (Kevin & Michael Bacon).[7][8] In the midst of finding her footing, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in summer of 2013.[9][10][11][12] Alexander handled the experience of a double mastectomy and reconstruction in the ways she knows best – by openly sharing the journey with humor and blunt honesty through song.
After reading about Alexander's journey on social media, Kirk Pasich (an entertainment and insurance attorney with Pasich LLP[13] who was previously familiar with Alexander's work) reached out to help. In response to her battle with her insurance company over coverage, Pasich offered Alexander a choice: represent her pro-bono in a class action lawsuit, or provide the balance of the funds needed to finish her latest fan-funded record that was currently in production. Alexander chose the latter.
When the record Curve was finished, Alexander invited Pasich into the studio to listen down from top to bottom. As the last song ended, Pasich told Alexander she "had to do something with [this record]" to which she replied "you should start a record label". And thus, Blue Élan Records was born,[14] founded by Pasich and his son Connor Pasich (who played a guitar solo on "Heels Over Head", Curve's first single).[15][16]
As Blue Élan's first artist, Alexander released her newest record Curve in October 2014. Among the glowing reviews, AXS.com declared "by fearlessly exploring such intriguingly honest territory, Cindy has branded Curve her most compelling work to date".
In January 2015, it was announced that Curve won the L.A. Music Critic's Award for Best Female CD.[17]
Alongside Curve, Cindy's critically acclaimed catalog with Blue Élan includes Christmas is Here, An American Girl, Deep Waters, Nowhere to Hide, and While the Angels Sigh. Cindy also added her voice to multiple Blue Élan compilation albums including A Blue Elan Christmas, Precious To Me, and Watching The Time: A Tribute to Gerry Beckley.
After the COVID-19 Pandemic and a forced hiatus, Cindy had some time think of her career and path forward which led her to signing a deal with Blue Élan's new imprint, KZZ Music, which would offer more artistic freedom and ability to work with a new production and marketing team who would think outside the box.
Messy was released in July of 2023 to rave reviews:
"With its mix of introspection and playful wordplay, "Messy" is a must-listen for those seeking an album that combines depth and catchiness in equal measure." - The Musical Road
"it's evident that "Messy" is not just an album, but a profound reckoning with life itself. Cindy's ability to channel her emotions and experiences into music is awe-inspiring, and the result is a collection of songs that resonate with depth and authenticity." - Illustrate Magazine
"On "Messy", Alexander establishes herself not just as a premier songwriter but as one of today's most dazzling and daring vocalists. She strips her instrument to its essence, both musically and emotionally." - Medium.com
Cindy collaborated with photographer Bob Kolbrener, protege and colleague of the late Ansel Adams, on the lyric video for House Without Windows, the royalty proceeds of which will benefit the Alzheimer's Association. Cindy lost her mother in 2020 to a rare form of Alzheimer's called Posterior Cortical Atrophy with Lewy Body Disease and Bob Kolbrener also lost his wife Sharon to Alzheimer's. The collaboration between the two was a healing, creative process that mirrors each other's art forms in brilliant tribute.
Cindy also collaborated with American actor, comedian, singer-songwriter, and director Scout Durwood on her music video for Messy's debut single, Call Us What We Are. The video was co-directed by Durwood and filmmaker D'Andree Galipeau. The video stars Cindy Alexander as a stalker version of herself alongside Catherine McCafferty and VanDuncan Johnson-Phillips.
Winner of NBC's Star Tomorrow
NBC announced that it would air Star Tomorrow in February 2006. Mottola severed his relationship with the show in June 2006, and producer David Foster was brought in.[18] The prize was subsequently changed from a recording contract with Mottola's Casablanca Records to a contract with Foster's label.
Hosted by Michele Merkin, StarTomorrow premiered on NBC and NBC.com on July 31, 2006, when a one-hour show about the auditions aired on NBC.[19] In a format similar to American Idol,[20] 92 bands competed in weekly head-to-head competition, and bands that won were then given the chance to compete in the competition's second round.
The show finale was in November 2006 and was eventually won by Alexander.[21] However, the show's contract was so bad that none of the Top 5 (Alexander, Bob Gentry, Brooke Ramel, Hydra FX, Blake Cody) bands signed. NBC officially ceased production on March 26, 2007.[22]
As a breast cancer survivor, Alexander became involved with Breastcancer.org as she used their resources many times herself during her journey from diagnosis to recovery. Her desire to give back to others led to her being named the Celebrity Ambassador for Breastcancer.org. In this role, she helps to spread the message about Breastcancer.org while she is performing on tour and at various public appearances.[23]
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund
In 2017, Alexander toured extensively across the US [24][25] raising money on her "Play It Forward"[26][27] tour for The Kay Yow Cancer Fund. She had heard about former NC State basketball coach Kay Yow when she was asked to sing the National Anthem at a UCLA Women's Basketball Play4Kay game.[28] Kay was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, and died on January 24, 2009, after facing her third bout with the disease. Before her death, she joined forces with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and The V Foundation for Cancer Research to form the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, a 501 (c)(3) [29] charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women's cancers, through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause. Due to the unique partnership with The V Foundation, they use their Scientific Advisory Committee to ensure all donations support only the cancer research projects with the most potential to find a cure.[30][29]
Dr. Kristi Funk, author of Breasts
Alexander teamed up with Dr. Kristi Funk, author of Breasts for her book launch party at Amoeba Records in Hollywood, California.[31]
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist, known primarily for her decades-long career in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album debut in 1967 with Hello, I'm Dolly, which led to success during the remainder of the 1960s, before her sales and chart peak came during the 1970s and continued into the 1980s. Some of Parton's albums in the 1990s did not sell as well, but she achieved commercial success again in the new millennium and has released albums on various independent labels since 2000, including her own label, Dolly Records.
Melissa Lou Etheridge is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and guitarist. Her eponymous debut album was released in 1988 and became an underground success. It peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200 and its lead single, "Bring Me Some Water", garnered Etheridge her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female in 1989. Her second album, Brave and Crazy, appeared that same year and earned Etheridge two more Grammy nominations. In 1992, Etheridge released her third album, Never Enough, and its lead single, "Ain't It Heavy", won Etheridge her first Grammy Award.
Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and activist. Her career has spanned over 40 years. Her album She's So Unusual (1983) was the first debut album by a female artist to achieve four top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100—"Girls Just Want to Have Fun", "Time After Time", "She Bop", and "All Through the Night"—and earned Lauper the Best New Artist award at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards in 1985. Her success continued with the soundtrack for the motion picture The Goonies (1985) and her second record True Colors (1986). This album included the number-one single "True Colors" and "Change of Heart", which peaked at number three. In 1989, Lauper saw success with "I Drove All Night" and in 1993, had her first dance club hit with "That's What I Think".
Victoria Williams is an American singer, songwriter and musician, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, United States, although she has resided in Southern California throughout her musical career. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the early 1990s, Williams was the catalyst for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.
Minnie Julia Riperton Rudolph was an American soul singer and songwriter best known for her 1975 single "Lovin' You", her five-octave vocal range, and her use of the whistle register.
Nanci Caroline Griffith was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She appeared many times on the PBS music program Austin City Limits starting in 1985. In 1994 she won a Grammy Award for the album Other Voices, Other Rooms.
Sandra Kay Yow was an American basketball coach. She was the head coach of the NC State Wolfpack women's basketball team from 1975 to 2009. A member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, she had more than 700 career wins. She also coached the U.S. women's basketball team to an Olympic gold medal in 1988 despite having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987. In 2000, Yow was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2009, she was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.
Elán DeFan is a Mexican singer. known for being one of the first Latin American female songwriters to begin her career with an English language album written completely on her own and the first independent artist from Latin America to have sold more than 1.7 million copies of her music with her band which is also named ELAN, made up of Elán, lead vocalist and keyboard player, Jan Carlo DeFan, lead guitarist, co-producer and Elán's brother and younger cousin and drummer Michel "Cheech" Bitar DeFan and Mauricio "The Duck" Lopez.
Patricia Jean Griffin is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. She is a vocalist and plays guitar and piano. She is known for her stripped-down songwriting style in the folk music genre. Her songs have been covered by numerous musicians, including Emmylou Harris, Ellis Paul, Kelly Clarkson, Rory Block, Dave Hause, Sugarland, Bette Midler and The Chicks.
Anastacia Lyn Newkirk is an American singer-songwriter. Her first two studio albums, Not That Kind (2000) and Freak of Nature (2001), were released in quick succession to uppermost worldwide success. Spurred on by her globally-successful debut single "I'm Outta Love", Anastacia was declared the "world's best-selling new female pop artist" at the World Music Awards in 2001. Her commercial success continued with the albums' other worldwide chart-topping singles, such as "Not That Kind", "Paid My Dues" and "One Day In Your Life", as well as the official song of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, "Boom".
Rachael Sage is an American singer-songwriter and visual artist. She is the founder of indie label MPress Records. Sage has released fifteen solo studio albums. Sage was named one of the Top 100 Independent Artists of the Past 15 Years by Performing Songwriter magazine. The New York Times describes Sage as "alternately channeling her inner Fanny Brice and Jewish Norah Jones".
Lucie Blue Tremblay is a Canadian folk singer-songwriter.
Soraya Raquel Lamilla Cuevas was a Colombian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, arranger and record producer.
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Shontelle Delia Layne, known mononymously as Shontelle, is a Barbadian singer and songwriter. She released her debut album Shontelligence in 2008. Her second album, No Gravity, was released in 2010. Her singles "T-Shirt" and "Impossible" achieved international success. In 2020, Shontelle released "Remember Me".
Gina Sicilia is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Her album, Heard the Lie, peaked in the Top 10 on Billboard charts blues music charts in September, 2018 as well as Sunset Avenue peaking at #15 in September, 2016. She was nominated for a Blues Music Award for Best New Artist in 2008 and has shared the stage with such artists as Beth Hart, Joan Osborne, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joe Bonamassa, Shemekia Copeland, and Johnny Winter amongst others.
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Adele Emily Sandé,, known professionally as Emeli Sandé, is a Scottish singer and songwriter. Born in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, and raised in Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, by an English mother and a Zambian father, Sandé rose to prominence after being a featured artist on the 2009 track "Diamond Rings" by rapper Chipmunk. It was the first top 10 single on the UK Singles Chart for both of them. In 2010, she was featured on "Never Be Your Woman" by the rapper Wiley, which was another top ten hit. In 2012, she received the Brit Awards' Critics' Choice Award.
Janiva Magness is an American Grammy Award nominated blues, soul, and Americana singer, songwriter, and author. To date she has released 16 albums.
Blue Élan Records is an independent record label based in Los Angeles, California. It was founded by entertainment and insurance lawyer Kirk Pasich, and his son, musician Connor Pasich, in 2014. Stylistically, the label's releases cover Alternative and Indie Rock, Americana, Folk, Blues, Hip Hop, and others. Their artist roster also ranges in age and industry history.
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